This offseason could see some big changes to the Los Angeles Lakers’ roster. The front office wants to build the team around superstar guard Luka Doncic and this summer they have the means to do it with salary cap space and draft picks to explore additions via free agency, trades and the NBA Draft.
In this day and age, this process is one that includes the superstar themselves and that is undoubtedly the case between the Lakers and Doncic as Rob Pelinka noted that the franchise is in constant communication with the guard on finding the right pieces to place around him.
“I think the keyword is that’s an ongoing, collaborative process,” Pelinka said during his end-of-season press conference. “It’s not, ‘Hey, I want X, Y and Z.’ So we’re in constant communication with him and his team. I plan on seeing him before he takes off to go home and spend some time with his daughters. We’re going to get together, I think on Friday or Saturday, so ongoing dialogue.
“He’s an incredible partner. His basketball IQ on the court is something we get to see as fans. JJ and I get to see his basketball knowledge in terms of other players in the league, and the way he wants to play and who he wants to play with. His knowledge base is vast, so those dyes and collaboration with him are actually really inspirational. He also does it in a way where he wants to do his job great and he wants to let JJ do his job great, and let me do my job great. So they really are productive conversations through that lens.”
The Lakers are reportedly looking to lock down a secondary creator long-term, which in all likelihood would be Austin Reaves as he and Doncic showed great chemistry this season. The team would also like to improve the center position with more of a rim-running option that Doncic is used to along with some true two-way wings who can improve perimeter defense and provide consistent shooting.
What is great is that the Lakers and Doncic are on the same page with what their plans are and the front office will do everything in their power to maximize the potential of this roster going into next season.
Luka Doncic finishes fourth in NBA MVP voting
One thing that is for sure is that Doncic is a true franchise player the Lakers can build around. He was outstanding in his first full season with the team, leading the NBA in scoring and ultimately finishing fourth in NBA MVP voting.
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